Ghana midfielder Mubarak Wakaso has urged his countryman Andre Ayew to remain proud despite missing out on the African Footballer of the year accolade.

The 25-year-old failed to clinch the award for the second time in five years after finishing third behind eventual winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyung and runner-up Yaya Toure.

The Swansea City star secured 112 votes as against Aubameyung’s 146 and Yaya Toure’s 136.

The Ghanaian international who finished third in 2011 could not make history by becoming the fourth Ghanaian to win the prestigious award after ex-Ghana internationals Ibrahim Sunday, Abdul Razak and Abedi Pele who last clinch the award in 1993.

Wakaso is happy with the remarkable feat of his pal despite his failure to win the honorary award for the first time.

“ Still proud of you bro @andreayew10 [Andre Ayew] the whole Ghana is proud of family friend and your fans are all proud of you bro @andreayew10 only GOD decide who to give so be proud of yourself and keep working hard,” Wakaso who plays in Spain for Las Palmas posted on social media.

Ayew was able to help the Black Stars reach the finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

The former Olympique Marseille man was able to win the Barclay Premier League player of the month award in August last year and has been able to bag in six goals for Swansea City in the English Premier League this season.